But arriving in Lisbon ahead of the chasing pack – after more than 3,500 miles across the Atlantic – was the high point of his ocean racing career. “No one would have foreseen us retiring from two of the legs, but we’re delighted to have won a leg, which we didn’t do before,” he said. “The highs have been higher and the lows lower this time.”

Walker does not rule out competing in a third Volvo Ocean Race.

“The funny thing with offshore sailing is that, at the time, it’s a whirlwind,” he said. “When you’re in the middle everything seems difficult, it’s only afterwards that you look back at all the happy memories and can’t wait to do it again. It seems like it never ends but I can’t believe it’s June.”

Walker admits the time away from his family is the biggest sacrifice he has had to make.

“It’s hard,” he says. “There’s very little time off. Stopovers are supposed to be two weeks but this year we’ve generally arrived late and five days before the start of the next leg we have in-port races and training.

“So we probably only average two to three proper days off between each leg. But it isn’t as if I don’t see them at all. Auckland was too far for them and it also depends on school holidays but they’ve come to a couple of the stop overs, in Abu Dhabi and Lisbon.

“It’s also very educational for the children as their school in Fareham follows the race and my wife’s a big fan, she follows it closely.

“I see it as a positive thing as much as I can and e-mail when I can.

“I make sure I don’t miss birthdays!”

Internet access is restricted on board and skippering is a 24-7 occupation for Walker, who gets by on three lots of two-three hours sleep a day, when conditions allow.

Adrenaline does the rest.

Will he compete in the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race?

“We’ll have to see, it’s a long time away from home,” he says. “I’ve been away for the best part of two years so a lot of sacrifices have to be made.

“First things first, let’s see how we do in the remainder of this one.

“It’s certainly been exciting to carry the flag for Abu Dhabi in their first foray in international sailing.

“It’s been great fun promoting them as we’ve gone around the world.”

Walker and his crew have no chance of winning the actual race, but they are third in the In-Port series of races, just two points off top spot with the penultimate race in Lorient tomorrow.